Improvement in cradles



H. H. WiGGERS.

Improvement in Cradles.

n ented Aug.13, 1872.

UNITED? STATES `HnNnnr n. wreenns, or CINCINNATI, onto, AssrGNoR To HiMsnLF AND 4PnTnNT OFFICE.

FRANCIS B. KEARNEY, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT 1N cRADLEs. A

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 130,554, dated August 13, 1872.

Specification describing certain lImprovements in Cribs and Cradles, invented by HENREY H. WIGGERs, of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio.

N atar@ cmd Objects of the Invention.

This invention relates to that class of cradles which areadapted to rock upon a supporting stand or base. The rst part of my improvements consist in tting within each rocker a horizontal plate, which is perforated or slotted so as to receive the pintle or pivot that projects upwardly from the stand, the object of this plate being to prevent said pintle wearing the rocker, as hereinafter more fully explained.` The second part of my improvements consists in pivoting to each rocker two slotted shackles or links, through whose slots are passed thumb-screws, which engage with the stand; and said screws, by being brought in contact with the ends of these slots, serve as stops to limit the oscillation of the cradle, and thereby prevent it rocking so far as to be thrown off at either side of the stand. In my improvement the shackles may be readily detached from the thumb-screws which hold them to the base, when the dat heads of the screws are turned lengthwise of the slots. The shackles can then be 'turned up against the faces of the rockers, and the cradle is thus adapted for use without the stand or base. In conjunction with the aforesaid shackles, I also employ hooks or other retaining devices, whereby the cradle can be locked to the frame, so as to prevent its rocking, thus permitting it to be used in the same manner as an ordinary crib.

Description of the Accompanying Draw/ing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined crib and cradle embodying my improvements.l Fig. 2is a partially-sectionized elevation of one of the rockersand its supporting stand on a somewhat enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is an elevation, showing the body of the cradle detached from its stand, so as to be used upon the floor.

A represents the body of the cradle, which may be of any desired material, shape, or style of finish, and said body has secured to it two rockers, B B', which are adapted to being rmly secured in the sills U C', and

projecting vertically therefrom. Each rocker has two mortises, H H', which converge toward the plate F,and the upper one, H', of said mortises is concealed by a cap, I, that is arranged so as not to come in contact with the pivot Gr. Attached to the inner sides of the rockers, byscrews J J', are two shacklesor links, K K', having longitudinal slots k k' for the reception of thumb-screws or ring-eyes L L', which engage with the sills C IG'. Hooks N and staples n allow the cradle to be locked to the frame, so as to prevent the former rocking, when desired. If desired the under sides of the rockers may be furnished with a cushion of leather, India-rubber, or other suitable material, as shown at O in Fig. 2. The-inner edges of the platesFmayhave lugs P for the reception of screws p, so as to secure said plate morerlnly to the rockers.

Operation.

When used as a cradle the hooks N are disengaged from the staples n, thereby leaving the body A free to rock upon the sills C C', and in so doing the lower ends of the slots le k' areV alternately brought in contact with the the screws L L', and the latter thus act as stops to limit the motion of the cradle and prevent it overturning. When the cradle is in motion the perforated plates F f take all the wear from the pivots G, and consequently the mortises H H' never become larger by use, which. enlargement would greatly weaken, and, in some cases, wear out the rockers at their mid-lengths. It is preferred that the heads of the thumb-screws L L' should, as a general thing, be preserved, in a position at "from the stand these screws should be turned right angles to theslots 7c of the shackles but whenever it is desired to disconnect the cradle around, so that their heads Will be presented longitudinally of said slots. When thus turned vthe shackles can be' sprung over the heads of `the screws, and then engaged over pins b b on the rockers, after which the body A can be lifted from its supporting-stand and the cradle used upon the door.

This article of furniture is cheap and simplein its construction, noiseless in its operation, and remarkably durable, besides which it combines the advantages both of crib and cradle. i y

The mortises H H may be perfectly straight instead of flaring both Ways, as shown in thev drawing.

Claims. I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with the rockers `B- B set my hand.

Attest: HENREY H. WIGGERS.

GEO. H. KNIGHT, JAMES H. LAYMAN. 

